Melissa McKinstry and Doug Kipperman began their relationship working with students to create a high school literary magazine and a nationally recognized writing, art, design, technology program, WriteDesign. In 1996, Melissa and Doug helped found the Coronado School of the Arts, CoSA. In 1999, they helped start the upper school humanities and arts programs at San Diego Jewish Academy, SDJA. Through their writing and design collaborations, they developed respect for each other's skills, work ethic, and joy of teaching, and they’ve been creating together now for over 30 years. They continue to endeavor to make the world a little better place to live for themselves and others.

Melissa McKinstry grew up on farms outside of Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington, learning how things grow and how people take care of each other in small communities. She is currently in the MFA poetry program at Pacific University. Her poetry has appeared in The Seattle Review and Quaint Canoe, EcoPoetry Washington, r.kv.r.y., and Heirlock. She works to follow the advice of poet Joe Millar: “Sanctify yourself as a poet. Sit down and write every day.”

Doug grew up in Coronado, California, learning the family clothing business which exposed him to a variety of worldviews and aesthetics. Eventually he left the business to attend and graduate from Art Center College of Design, leading to his work as a freelance graphic designer in New York City, Denver, and San Diego. Later he taught design and art to teens and adults. He earned a Masters in Educational Technology from San Diego State University. Since 2007, in addition to collaborations with Melissa, Doug has applied his understanding of design to stained glass where he has created pieces that radiate in and out of doors.